Lifter



'Oct. 3l, 1944. E. L. DoRToN FLIF'TERY Filed May l, 1944 Patented Oct. 3l, 1944 LIFTER Ernest L. Dorton, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Application May l, 1944, Serial No. l533,535

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a lifter for the handling of containers, such as fruit jars and similar devices. while carrying out a preserving operation wherein usually the jars and the contents thereof are hot.

The primary object of theinvention is the provision of a device of the above stated character which may be easily and quickly brought into gripping relation with a jar and includes a conveniently operated latching means to prevent the jaws of the device from accidentally moving out of gripping relation with said jar, so that the latter may'be safely carriedfrom place to place without the operator having to contact the jar.

With these and other objects in View as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is tobe had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section. illustrating a lifter constructed in accordance with my invention and showing its application to a fragmentary portion of a fruit jar, the latter being illustrated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 5 indicates a disc or circular shaped body which has provided in its periphery equally spaced notches 6 to receive therein the pivoted end por tions 'I of elongated hook shaped jaws 8 which cooperate with each other in gripping a container 9 such as an ordinary fruit jar. The ends of the jaws 8 are shaped to engage under the neck flange I8 of the container, as clearly shown in Figure l, so that the weight of the container when supported by the device will tend to cause the jaws always to move toward non-gripping position.

tainer from place to place by the device.

The tubular shank I2 is provided with slots I4 arranged opposite each other and adjacent to the body 5. A latch member I5 in the form of a cap is slidably mounted on the shank' I2 and its internal diameter is such that it will move freely over the periphery of the body for the purpose of preventing the jaws 8 from pivoting outwardly relative to each other and away from the container. A pin I6 is suitably secured to the latch member I5 and extends through the slots I4 and is engaged by an expansion type coil spring Il normally acting to elevate the latch member I5 oif of the body 5. The spring I'I seats within arecess provided in the body.

An operating rod I8 is slidable in the shank I2 and the cross member I3 thereof and is formed on the .pin I6. The upper end of the rod I8 is provided with a thumb or iinger piece I9 normally spaced from the cross member I3.

In operation, when the operator brings the jaws 8 into gripping relation with the container, as shown in Figure 1, pressure is placed on the inger piece I9 forcing the latch member I5 over the periphery of the body preventing the jaws from moving out of gripping position or away from the container and each other consequently eliminating any possibility of the container becoming accidentally freed from the device which will permit the operator to carry vthe container by the device safely from place to place wihout coming in direct contact with the container.

To release the device from the container, the operator removes the pressure from the nger piece I9 and the spring automatically disengages the latch member I5 from the body so that the jaws may then be swung outwardly to free the container.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction. combination and karrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a lifter, a body, a handle on said body, jaws pivoted to the body for gripping a container, a substantially cap shaped latching member slidable on the handle to engage with the body and jaws for securing the jaws in gripping position, spring means acting on said latch member to normally position the latter disengaged ,fromV the jaws of the body, and an operating means carried by the handle and connected to the latch member.

2. In a lifter, a disc-like body having notches in the periphery thereof, gripping jaws pivoted in said notches for gripping a container. a handle on the body, a cap-like latch member slidable on vthe handle to move over the body and portions of the jaws for releasably securing the jaws in gripping position, spring means between the latch member and body to normally position the latch member disengaged from the body and jaws, and an operating rod slidable on the handle and conf nected with the latch member.

ERNEST L. DORTON. 

